Spencer caregiver cashed stolen lottery ticket’

EAST BROOKFIELD 
A 24-year-old caregiver from the Visiting Nurses Association has been charged with larceny after she allegedly stole and cashed a winning lottery ticket from an 80-year-old client in Spencer.

According to a Spencer police report, the elderly man bought the 50X The Cash scratch ticket, which cost $10, on May 13 and found it was a $1,000 winner. While the ticket had been validated, the man was to go to lottery headquarters to claim the prize because the amount is more than the store can pay.

But after a few days, he could not find the ticket and, his family told police, he “has always kept the tickets in one area of the home. (He) is not forgetful, very sharp minded.”

When the man contacted the lottery commission, he learned the ticket had been cashed on May 15 by Priscilla Prendiville, who was one of the substitute care workers sent to his house to assist him and his wife during the time the ticket disappeared.

Ms. Prendiville, of 23 Ellis Road, Southbridge, was charged with larceny of property valued at more than $250.

She was arraigned on June 11 and is due back in Western Worcester District Court on Aug. 8 for a pretrial hearing.

The Lottery Commission sent a letter to the alleged victim telling him the person in possession of the ticket is considered the owner, and it declined to honor his claim on the winnings.